Category: Results

Match Report: Ballynahinch United 1 v 1 Dunmurry YM (27/09/14)

United entertained Dunmurry YM at the Millbridge last Saturday (27th September). Despite the absence of a number of first team regulars due to the wedding of centre back Ross Hayes the home team were still able to field a strong line-up and from the start they controlled the game. The defensive combination of the experienced Davy Boal with Paul King was solid throughout while full backs Ethan Majury and Craig McMullan were constantly supplementing the midfield at every opportunity.

The visitors were content to attack on the break and due to their poor start to the season were obviously happy to fight for a point.

United took the lead after 20 minutes when Gavin Crawford converted a move that started with good work on the right wing by David Kelly and Ethan Majury.

In the 30th minute a brilliant through ball from Dalton Tate left the Dunmurry defence flat footed and Ian McMullan was sent free on goal however his side footed effort went agonisingly past the post.

Stuart McMullan and Aaron McCaffrey combined on a number of occasions in the first half but could not create any openings as Dunmurry defended resolutely. In the closing stages of the first half Dunmurry won a number of free kicks and it was from one of these that they equalised. Their high free kick was headed around the edge of the penalty area before falling to their centre forward who was standing in front of goalkeeper Brian McMullan at least three yards off side. He headed the ball into the net and everyone in the ground was waiting for a free kick but instead the referee gave the goal.

In the second half United launched wave after wave of attacks with Ian McMullan having a header brilliantly saved, Aaron McCaffrey seeing his deflected shot go wide of the goalkeepers legs as he dived in the opposite direction and finally in the closing minutes Dalton Tate’s free kick cannoning off the cross bar.

While United were disappointed with the result their overall performance and drive on what was a very warm day could not have been better.

Club Notes

The 1sts travelled to East Belfast and were very unlucky to come out losers in a seven goal thriller. Twice they led through goals from Ian McMullan but unfortunately a late brace of goals saw them denied a share of the spoils. A late penalty by David Kelly could not be bettered.

Players and club members are reminded that club memberships are now due and should be paid as soon as possible.

Match Report: Ballynahinch United 2nds 3 v 3 Kirkistown 2nds

The Swifts entertained a strong Kirkistown side at Millbridge in their first home game of the season. Conditions were excellent for free flowing football on a well-manicured pitch and the small band of spectators was well entertained.

It was the visitors who scored the first goal when their centre forward shot home after some good work to get ahead of the Swifts central defenders leaving Johnny McGreevy with no chance of saving a well struck shot.

The home side soon got into their stride and having missed a good opportunity in the 15th minute teenager Graeme McMullan didn’t miss in the 20th when he stroked the ball home after good work by Ross Bingham.

In the 25th minute another teenager Matthew Manly gave the Swifts the lead when he picked up a loose ball in the penalty area and shot home.

The Swifts defence of McNeill, King, Bonner and McMenamin were constantly under pressure with midfielders Wilson, Massey, Manly and McPhail combining with them to keep the Kirkistown attack at bay.

In the second half Kirkistown started strongly and equalised after 55 minutes and then went 3 – 2 ahead in the 70th minute. The Swifts introduced David Griffiths and Alan McMullan into the fry and from the right wing Graeme McMullan crossed for Matthew Manly to head home the equaliser.

This was a hard fought game with both teams intent on attack and a draw on this occasion was the fairest result.

Match Report: Killough 2nds 4 – 5 Ballynahinch United 2nds

The Swifts got their league season started with an excellent away win to Killough Seconds. Last year the two sides met in a thrilling 5 – 5 encounter but this time the visitors edged the home side out with goals from Ross Bingham [2], Alan Massey, Paul King and David Griffiths.

The 2nds entertain Kirkistown 2nds at The Millbridge this Saturday 20th September in a league game.

Match Report: Ballynahinch United 3 v 2 Grove United

United went into this match on the back of a series of cup defeats and were anxious to get back on the winning trail in this league encounter. Whilst a number of the more experienced players were back in action the team was missing Paul Dickson and Craig Bowman through suspension,  JJ Carlisle now off to University, Scott Brashaw and Gareth Bingham both unavailable whilst Gregg Allison is injured. The visitors who were quite a youthful team got off to a great start when they went ahead after one minute when a long cross from the right wing was headed into the net via the post. Things got worst inside ten minutes when a clearance broke kindly for their centre forward and he smashed the ball past Brian McMullan who had no chance of saving it.

The home team were shelled shocked and they really never got going and could on several occasions have fallen further behind had it not been for timely interventions from the defensive line up of Ross Hayes, David Boal, Ethan Majury and Craig McMullan and a number of fine saves from goalkeeper Brian McMullan.

The second half started poorly with United taking some time to get into the game until a positional changes were effected with Stuart McMullan moving to the left side of midfield and Herron to left back, The impact was almost immediate as United increasingly got on the attack however the visitors held resolute frustrating them until late in the game.

McMullan and Herron were proving a handful on the left side and it was they who created the opening that led to United’s first goal and for which Grove paid a heavy penalty. In the 80th minute Aaron McCaffrey was put through by McMullan and he was pulled back by the Grove number 5 and as it was his second booking he was red carded. From the resulting free kick on the edge of the penalty Dalton Tate shot home through a space in the defensive wall.

Buoyed on United pressed forward with midfielders David Kelly, Gavin Crawford and Dalton Tate seeing a lot of the ball and finding more openings and from a corner the ball broke free for McMullan to stroke the ball into the net from close to the penalty spot. The game was now into injury time but as there was a fair bit of additional time due to time wasting United pressed forward. In the 92nd minute McMullan eased the ball away from the Grove goalkeeper on the left hand side of the penalty area and he swivelled close to the bye line close to the  six yard box to find Gavin Crawford running in and crashing the ball into the net.

In the closing minutes Grove pressed to get an equaliser but United held the ball from them to secure a vital three points.

This week United travel to East Belfast for a league game.